CSUDH Softball Swept by Grand Canyon, 4-0 and 7-1
February 28, 2004

Complete Box Scores
Game 1      Game 2

Carson, CA -- Cal State Dominguez Hills' offense struggled against visiting Grand Canyon's hurlers as it dropped a CCAA softball doubleheader on Saturday afternoon on Toro Diamond, 4-0 and 7-1.

The Toros fall to 11-9, 7-9 CCAA, while the Antelopes improve to 8-4, 7-3 CCAA.

Game one featured a pitching duel between CSUDH's Nina Distefano (Lakewood, CA/St. Joseph HS) and GCU's Kristen Swetel. Each pitcher was stellar through the first three innings, until the 'Lopes broke through in the top of the fourth frame. After leadoff batter Krista Jacob was hit by a pitch, a Toro error and two GCU singles would combine to bring home two runs, giving Grand Canyon a 2-0 lead.

CSUDH had a golden opportunity in their sixth-inning at bat as they had runners at second and third with two outs. GCU's Swetel, however, induced Araceli Martinez (Bellflower, CA/Warren HS) to fly out to left field, keeping her shutout intact.

The visitors would capitalize on their momentum, adding two more runs in their ensuing at bat, courtesy of a Swetel 2RBI double.

Lisa Grove (Buena Park, CA/Kennedy HS) and Lori Moreno (Los Angeles, CA/California HS) paced the Toros with two hits apiece while Jennifer Montoya collected two hits for GCU.

Distefano threw all seven innings for the Toros, giving up two earned runs in taking the loss (3-5). GCU's Swetel also hurled a complete game, scattering six hits to pick up her fourth win of the season (4-2).

The nightcap had the makings of a comeback as the Toros snapped their scoreless streak in their first at-bat of game two. With one out, DP Cindy Perry (Victorville, CA/Silverado HS) dropped a perfect bunt single down the third base line. After a groundout moved her to second base, the speedster stole third and eventually scored on a passed ball to give CSUDH a quick 1-0 lead.

The Antelopes would answer in their top of the third, however, as Swetel hammered starter Grove's first pitch over the right field fence, bringing in Jennifer Montoya, who reached as a hit batter after GCU's first two batters grounded out to begin the inning.

GCU would strike again in the top of the fifth inning, eventually turning a Toro error that began the frame into four Antelope runs, the big blow coming on a bases-loaded 2RBI single by Tiffany Collier, giving the visitors a 6-1 lead.

GCU would add another run in the top of the sixth inning to close the scoring.

CSUDH's Natalie Sharp (Whittier, CA/California HS) led the Toros with two hits in the nightcap, while Montoya's two hits and 2RBI led a trio of Antelopes who drove in two runs in the second game.

CSUDH starter Grove threw 4.2 innings and allowed two earned runs in the loss (4-3), while GCU starter Alexandra Hawley tossed a compete-game four-hitter to pick up her fourth win of the year (4-1).

The Toros host Azusa Pacific in a nonconference doubleheader on Friday, March 5, with first pitch scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. start.-